President Bola Tinubu has sent a high-level emissary to Plateau State as part of renewed efforts to tackle recurring violence and reinforce peace across troubled communities in the North Central region.
The envoy, Dr Abiodun Essiet, who serves as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement for the zone, spent two days in the state meeting religious leaders, traditional authorities, security stakeholders and community groups affected by long-running tensions.
The visit was announced in a statement issued on Sunday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, Essiet began her engagements on Thursday in Barkin Ladi, where she held discussions with Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo, Chairman of the Regional Church Council.
Their talks centred on the influence of faith-based leadership in rebuilding trust, promoting unity and addressing the root causes of communal grievances.
Essiet also met widows from communities affected by attacks, relaying President Tinubu’s assurance that his administration remains committed to fostering reconciliation across Plateau’s diverse ethnic and religious blocs.
Later in the visit, she held a session with Fulani leaders including members of the Miyetti Allah community to advance dialogue between pastoralist and farming communities.
The Federal Government, she stressed, is pursuing an inclusive engagement strategy that prioritises listening to all sides of the conflict.
The envoy also facilitated a town hall meeting in Jos, drawing representatives from traditional councils, women’s groups, youth organisations and delegates from multiple local government areas.
The gathering explored ways to strengthen grassroots peace structures, improve early-warning systems and address long-standing sources of mistrust.
Essiet subsequently led a workshop aimed at establishing a unified community peace framework for all 17 LGAs in the state.
She later held a closed-door meeting involving Irigwe community leaders, members of the Miyetti Allah group and representatives of the Bassa Local Government Youth Council.
According to Onanuga, the discussions focused on how Plateau’s 17-member peace committee can consolidate conflict mediation, encourage reconciliation and sustain coexistence between rival communities.
He added that the President regards the Community-Based Peace Structure as a central instrument for long-term stability in the North Central region.
One tangible outcome of the engagements was the resolution of a recent dispute in Gyel district of Jos South.
Agha Farm owner David Toma had seized two cows belonging to herders after they reportedly destroyed parts of his farmland.
On November 15, the Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) in Bassa LGA, Isah Yau, paid Toma N500,000 in compensation.
The cows were released afterward, and all parties signed an undertaking committing to peaceful coexistence.
The Presidency said the envoy’s mission formed part of a broader strategy to de-escalate tensions, reduce clashes and strengthen community cohesion across Plateau, which has endured years of cycles of violence.
President Tinubu, according to the statement, remains unwavering in his commitment to inclusive governance and sustained peacebuilding initiatives.
